A Credit To Medical Professionals

My mother was taken by ambulance to Hawaii Medical Center-West (formerly St. Francis Hospital-West). During her short stay there she was in the emergency room, intensive care unit and the fourth floor. She was seen by Dr. Gabino Baloy and her care on the different floors was overseen by nurses Robin (ER), Joyce (ICU), Allison and Katey (fourth floor) as well as other nurses/staff whose names I did not get. In addition to being professional and competent, they were all so caring, compassionate and kind. My mother was in a terminal condition and the staff, without fail, was sensitive and concerned about our needs, too. The staff members at HMC-West are a credit to the medical profession. I can’t praise them enough.

Cynthia Lee

Waipio Gentry

Dear Cynthia,

Dr. Gabino Baloy says situations like yours are always very difficult. “Her mother was comatose when she came into emergency. I talked to her over many hours, discussing her mother’s condition. At that point there was not much we could have done medically, so we tried to be there for Cynthia, who was dealing with the situation all alone before her brother arrived from the Mainland. I thought about my own mother, who is also quite old. Later, I told Cynthia and her brother that we at the Hawaii Medical Center West would always be here to take care of them.”

Dear Pamela;

We recently had electrical failure with our auto - no headlights, alarm, door locks. Took it to the dealer where we had to spend $120 just for the diagnosis of repairs totaling $3,500!!! And no, the $120 would not be applied toward that repair!

We called around and were guided to Wayne’s Auto Electrical on Queen Street. Jarrett assessed the problem and repairs were made to the tune of $140! One of the most impressive moments, though, was when Jarrett explained that the dealership had to take the car back to factory specs, thus their price. Not a bad word about their cost of repair! Thus I am following his lead in not revealing the make of my auto as to reveal the dealership. Not only was Jarrett and the crew at Wayne’s lifesavers but he showed us true class and integrity. Mahalo, Jarrett, you are a fine gentleman!!

Peggy Sucher

Ma’ili

Dear Peggy,

Jarrett Young, whose dad owns Wayne’s Auto Electrical, says this service is offered to every customer.

“Some people just can’t afford dealership repairs. Her headlights, tail lights and alarm weren’t working. Rather than replace everything, we were able to run a new wire and make adjustments. I really appreciate her letter.”

Dear Pamela:

While dropping my son off at preschool, someone broke into my car and stole my backpack containing my wallet and laptop computer. Later that morning, while walking his dogs in a Kapolei Park, Mr. Lawrence Orion’s dog found my backpack tossed in the bushes. Thanks to Lawrence Orion and his wife,

Bea,

I got most of my property back. I am a teacher and everything for work was on that laptop. Thank you so much Lawrence and Bea for doing the right thing! And thank your wonderful dog, too.

Shannon Kam

Kapolei

Dear Shannon,

Lawrence Orion, a bus company mechanic’s helper in Pearl City, gives all the credit to his dog Pohaku. “Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I take him and his mother Tundra to Kapolei Park to run. He’s only 15 months old, so he’s pretty hyper. In back of the senior citizens home there are some bushes he likes to crawl through. This time he came out with a backpack in his mouth.

I looked for ID and found an address, but no phone number. So before I went to work that night I stopped off at Shannon’s house. No one was home so I left a note. She called me at work. She said she couldn’t believe that her laptop was still in the backpack. It’s all because of Pohaku. He’s a good dog.”

(If you know someone who deserves some Applause, send your letters to Pamela Young, MidWeek Applause, KITV, 801 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, 96813 or e-mail pyoung@kitv.com. Include your name, phone number and, if possible, the phone number of your “applaudee” so we can contact him or her.)